‘We should board.’ Athena’s words broke him from his thoughts. ‘Time is of the essence, I assume?’
He nodded, his eyes still transfixed on the ship for a moment longer. The wind picked up a little, causing the sails to billow and bulge. Perseus turned his head towards the gathering on the shore, scanning through the disbelieving eyes, all still gazing in awe at Athena. His sister. Between the figures, he picked out the raised hand of Dictys. His heart tumbled over in his chest. If there was one image he would take with him to draw strength from, one image of the life he wished to return to, it would be this. With a knowing smile, his eyes met his stepfather’s, and he offered him a single nod. ‘For your mother,’ Dictys mouthed.
‘For my mother,’ Perseus said.
Chapter 21
Perseus took the oars and rowed from the shore to the waiting vessel. His sister - he allowed the word to turn over in his head - stood at the helm, bare arms golden, and her grey chiton motionless in the breeze. No further words were exchanged as they boarded the great ship and took to the open water. Perseus watched the men, sweat glistening on their arms. He did not know from which island the men came - if they were islanders at all. It was possible they came from all regions of Hellas. No doubt a selection of the Goddess’ own choosing. Perhaps there were heroes among them. Worthier ones than himself, who would risk the gaze of the Gorgon. After all, Polydectes’ only requirement was that Perseus brought him the head of Medusa. He did not specify that he must be the one to sever it.
‘The crew is yours,’ Athena said as if reading his mind. ‘When I leave, they will follow your command. They know the route to the Gorgon’s island.’
‘Then perhaps one of them should be in charge.’ Perseus spoke only half in jest. Athena noticed and smiled.
‘And you would have them take the head of Medusa themselves too, I assume?’
The colour of his cheeks betrayed his earlier thought.
‘The Gorgon is old and wily, no mortal can stand against her,’ she said, saving Perseus the shame of answering her previous question. ‘Many have tried. None have succeeded. But only mortals; no sons of Zeus have attempted such an act.’
Perseus cast his gaze out onto the ocean. On the horizon, a small smudge of land marked his final vision of Seriphos. He would only return if he succeeded. There would be no other home for him now.
The humidity of the air was broken by the wind that filled their sails. For now, the men’s oars were superfluous, and they busied themselves about the deck. How long they would be blessed with good winds, Perseus dare not ask. Better accept the gifts of the gods and stay silent than risk their wrath by seeking more.
‘The Gorgons,’ he said instead. ‘How did they become this way? Was it a punishment from the gods?’
‘A punishment?’ The most diminutive of quivers disturbed the Goddess’ tone. ‘Why would you say that? What have you heard of their creation?’
‘I only heard that they were born that way. That the three creatures are nearly as old as the gods themselves.’
‘Then why would you question it?’ It was no longer a slight quiver in her voice. Her inflection was more of a blunt edge. A solid strike. The winds picked up. Men hurried to the forestays and fastened the sheets.
‘On my island there is debate as to their lineage. Whether or not Typhoeus and Echidna or Phorcys and Ceto spawned the beasts.’
‘Does it matter? Your task, as I understand it, is to remove her head. That is all.
‘Goddess, I did not mean to cause offence. I know that the gods are fair and just in their actions. I just wished to learn as much about my foe as I am able. That is what a good hero does, is it not? Learns their opponent’s weaknesses.’
Athena’s face softened into a smile, although her gaze still held fast to the glint of distrust. Her lips pressed together in a line before she turned her head to the same smudge of land – now little more than a speck – on which his eyes had been focused only minutes beforehand.
‘I can tell you what I know of the Gorgon Medusa.’ Her eyes remained on the ocean as she spoke. ‘I can tell you that millennia in isolation creates beasts for whom rational thought will no longer prevail. She may speak in the same tongue as a human, but there is no more humanity running through her veins than there is sustenance in the venom of the vipers that coil around her scalp. I can tell you that she takes pleasure in each death, toying with her victims as a cat does with a mouse. Of course, a mouse with a wounded leg may escape the cat to go and die in some hidden corner of a field on their own terms. There is no such blessing for Medusa’s victims. No such moment of solitude.’ She turned her eyes back to Perseus. The grey glint was now gone, replaced by something darker still. ‘She is not human. She has never been human. Do not fool yourself into thinking otherwise. She will not fall for human trickery. She has seen it all and defeated it all.’
Goosebumps had spread the length and breadth of Perseus’ skin. ‘Then, if that is the case, how will I defeat her?’
‘With this,’ Athena smiled.
Chapter 22
‘Yet another hero soiling his tunic before he has even lifted his sword.’ Euryale laughed, kicking at the statue as she caressed one of the
